Author: Lara
Coolest Polish of 2018
Is it too early to declare Essence Cosmetics “outta space is the place” as the coolest polish of 2018?
This polish popped up randomly in an Ulta Facebook ad – and I knew it had to be mine. I hadn’t even seen it in person, but I knew we were meant to be together. “Outta space is the place” ($2.99) is part of the new “Outer Space Stories” Collection by Essence. I don’t have a lot of experience with Essence – it’s a budget brand, like wet n wild.
What’s so impressive about this polish, you may ask – it just looks like a plain white polish? It’s not a plain white polish. It’s an iridescent unicorn polish that shifts pink, blue and purple in the light. Judging by all the big brands falling all over themselves to release shiny, pastel unicorn collections (I.E. wet n wild’s Goth-O-Graphic Collection and Too Faced’s Festival Collection) – 2018 will be the year of the unicorn.
This is two coats of “outta space is the place” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat. The edges of my nails are rather crispy – that’s totally my bad, as I did a shit ass job painting my nails this go-round. The lighter the polish, the lighter hand you need…or you get these crispy edges.
Sephora Play! February 2018 – Feel the Love
Missed it by THAAAAAAT much…
February’s Sephora Play box is themed “Feel the Love”, products that I’m supposed to not be able to live without. Hmmm, we’ll see about that.
This month’s fragrance is Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee. I’m just not a plain vanilla girl, plus, I already have a small bottle of this scent. The other products are a bit more interesting: Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel (I love a good mask); NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in “Let’s Go Crazy” (ooooh, hot pink); Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in “ROSEGOLD”; Sephora Rouge Matte Lipstick in “Rebel Chic”; and belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb (so many eye creams, so little time).
I don’t know that I can’t live without any of these products, but there’s a good variety of products for me to try out. A really good mix of products this month!
If you don’t get Sephora Play, sign up and feel the love. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
A Martini Built for Two
Julep “Emmy” is an odd polish. Julep describes it as an olive ghost shimmer. (I think ghost shimmer means that you can see it in the bottle, but it disappears on the nails.) This color seems very limiting, but I had some many ideas about the personality it portrays:
- A ‘country girl’, a lady that wants her nails to look their best as she fixes a fence or rounds up the chickens.
- A 90s grunge girl, the olive tone perfectly complementing her flannel shirt.
- A girl who appreciates Military chic.
- One of those girls that gets married in a camouflage wedding dress.
- A city sophisticate that likes her polish like she likes her Martini – smooth and dry.
I am not sure I fall into any of those categories…OK, long ago, maybe the second one. My point is that this polish has multiple personalities and while I thought it annoyed me, it grew on me the longer I wore it – nearly a week. Next time, I’ll add glitter.
This is two coats of “Emmy” over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
A Clean Face is a Happy Face
I told you I was going to place an Ulta order…
It got here quick, too. Ulta needs to work on their shipping though. It came in two boxes – one had just the Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Medium Brown” (been wanting to try a little lighter look) and everything else in the other box. The two boxes were the same size.
The #1 thing I wanted was the nail polish – essence “outta space is the place”, from their new Out of Space Nail Stories Collection ($2.99). It’s an iridescent white – I’ve never seen anything like it! I also picked up 2 essence Kiss the Mermaid Lipsticks ($3.49) – one for me and one for Lily. I’ve been using the fuck out of my Frog Prince Green Lipstick – this one is a blue stick that turns purplish pink.
I’ve also been wanting to try a few of the new Pacifica rose products: Pacifica Rose Kombucha Flower Powered Face Wash and Rose Flower Hydro Mist (regularly $10 each, buy one sale BOG40%off). The face wash is creamy and strongly scented. It foams A LOT – a little goes a long way. I’m getting use to the face mist – it’s a very different way to hydrate your face than the creams and lotions I’m used too.
I also grabbed two of the new Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipsticks ($4.99) in “I Don’t Dessert You” and “Satin Sheets.” I totally duped myself – these are dupes of Jeffree Star “No Tea, No Shade” and “Pussy Whipped”. Jokes on me!
The last thing I added to my cart was Ulta Warming Charcoal Cleanser ($10)….so I could get the free gift with purchase makeup bag. The cleanser does warm up, but not as much as others I’ve had. The cleanser is very, very gentle. This might be one of the better makeup bag gifts. Inside the bag: an eyeshadow palette, a blush/bronzer duo, Liquid Illuminator in “Northern Lights”, Plush Drama Volumizing Mascara, Nude Lipstick in “Pink Chocolate”, Mattifying Face Primer, Tinted Eye Primer in “Peach Glow”, Juice Infused Lip Oil in “Coconut”, Eye Liner Pencil in “Blackout”, Brow Shaping Gel in “Clear”, an eye pencil sharpener, Lip Liner Pencil in “Bittersweet”, a tapered blush brush and a $5 off $15 coupon. The colors are springy and neutral.
I have been choosing skincare samples from Ulta lately – I got a Skinfix Face Cleansing Cloth and Vichy Aqualia Thermal Creme Riche. I was also able to use the $5 off coupon from my last Ulta order.
$330.6o to remain Platinum…that’s like one hair appointment!
DIVINE!
Anyone who knows me even casually, knows that I have a thing for pink flamingos. They’re in my yard, in my house, on my clothes. Those who REALLY know me, know how much I love Pink Flamingos, starring the one and only Divine. And thanks to Kat Von D, now I can have Pink Flamingos in my makeup!
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of the Kat Von D x Divine Collection since sneak peaks started appearing online last year. It was finally released on VD, but didn’t hit Sephora’s site until the 17th. Yup, I ordered the morning of the 17th and it arrived just a few days later…
I ordered the whole collection, which consisted of the I am Divine Palette ($38), with eight all-new eye shadows, inspired by Divine. I also picked up the Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in “Divine” ($19), which is a creamy pinky nude. It’s the new Studded Kiss formula, too – super creamy and soft on the lips.
Before I start talking about the palettes, I’ll mention my samples. Yes, I finally received samples with a Sephora order! I placed my order via my PC instead of using the app and I hate to say it, but I think that might be the key. I got three foil packets: belif: The True Cream – Aqua Bomb (my jam); Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil.
I also used a code to get a deluxe sample of of stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in “kitten karma” (haven’t had a chance to try it yet).
Just $875 to Sephora Rouge for 2019. If Kat keeps up with the releases like she did laast year, that won’t be an issue.
Obviously, I couldn’t wait to play with the palette.
The first time I try an eye shadow, I put it straight on my face, without any kind of primer. As you can see, there’s a decent amount of pigmentation even without primer. The green (“Pink Flamingos” ironically) really needs a primer to pop, but the matte blue (“Waters”) pops without it, as does the dark blue shimmer under my eyes (“Baltimore”). I’ll be honest, I’ll get more use out of the neutral colors in the palette, but I WILL use this palette.
The lipstick is very close to my natural skin tone. I tried it alone and was not wowed. I overlined my lips with “Lolita” Everlasting Lip Liner and it made all the difference in the world.
I am not at all disappointed in this palette and lippie – great job Kat!
February 2018 Birchbox – Follow Your Heart
This month’s box has some heft to it. I mean that literally – it was really heavy for a Birchbox.
The weight was due to two absolutely gigantic (for Birchbox, anyway) sample bottles – Love Beauty and Planet Smooth and Serene Argan Oil & Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner. Birchbox heard my prayers! Matching shampoo and conditioner in matching sizes! Sometimes lavender gives me a headache though…I’ll have to be careful with the shampoo and conditioner.
Also in this month’s curated box: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (I’ve had this before and loved what it did for my skin); Doucce Cosmetics Luscious Lip Stain in “Steaming Red”; and Beauty Crop Wing Woman Liquid Eyeliner in “Black”.
No fragrances this month – I only miss them when I don’t get them.
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Off My Game
I must be off my game – when I picked up some polishes with my candy after VD, I accidentally bought a polish I already had – Sinful Colors “You Just Wait”. I didn’t check the site – I had bought it on Black Friday 2016. Oops.
Receipt in hand, I head back to different Walgreens. I was hoping for a different polish selection. It wasn’t fantastic, but it was enough for me to get some new polishes.
I ended up exchanging “You Just Wait” for “Pink Smart”, a plain pepto pink creme. I also found a new Sinful Colors Base Coat and Lily helped me pick three new polishes. I got “Starry Eyed” (looks to be left over from 4th of July), “Coco Bae” (a shimmery nude), and “Rise & Shine” (turquoise with a faint shimmer). I checked the site this time – I don’t have any of these.
Oh, and we also made the mistake of trying one of the new Diet Cokes – Zesty Blood Orange. Holy crap, did that stuff taste HORRIBLE. It was a cross between Alka Seltzer and EmergenC, plus that horrible aspartame aftertaste. I couldn’t even finish half of it. Blech.
Sucker Punch
Sucker punch, bitch.
Sinful Colors “Sucker Punch” is one of the new polishes I picked up after VD. It’s not what I thought I was going to do – I thought I was going to use “You Just Wait” – until I realized that I already have that shade it and it is green/pink, not white/pink. I want white/pink, dammit!
I noticed that it was almost an exact match for the red/pink shimmer shade I had picked for my toes. (I don’t even know what colors is on my toes – I didn’t even think to ask the name of the shade.) Shari had come to visit me and we went for a pedicure, which was an amazing idea, since I can’t easily bend to reach my feet yet. I just picked a random China Glaze polish from the swatch sticks. Whatever polish it is, it’s an exact dupe for Sinful Colors “Sucker Punch”.
This is two coats of “Sucker Punch” over Sinful Colors Base Coat and topped with Glisten & Glow Base Coat. I think this polish would also look amazing with a matte top coat.
Ulta Birthday Trip
I had an afternoon Doctor Appointment last week and I decided not to be a lazy shit and leave the house before noon. I thought I’d hit Ulta to pick up my Birthday Gift and see what else I can pick up.
I’ve started this new habit of keeping a list of stuff I want from Ulta in my basket in the app, so I don’t forget and can compare prices. I had at least half a dozen random items and this store did not have a single one of them in stock. Really? I had a $10 off coupon burning a hole in my pocket!
I decided to finally try the NYX Liquid Suede Metallics, since they were Buy One, Get One 50% Off. I picked up “Buzzkill” (hot pink) and “Go Rogue” (black). Warning, the pink STAINS bad, as I found out today. I also grabbed a few different nail buffers. The biggest part of my purchase was a set of Hot Tools Soft Pillow Rollers for my daughter’s birthday next week – don’t worry, she doesn’t even know what Instagram is.
This quarter’s birthday gift is kind of lame – Just an Ulta Cranberry & Pomegranate Lip Oil and Mask. The rest of the year gets NARS, it Cosmetics and Lancome! I got the shaft.
Disappointed, I hit a second Ulta on the way to my appointment and again – disappointment. I actually ended up placing an online order a few days ago…I’m excited!
February 2018 Ipsy Bag – Unzipped
Ipsy takes on a monumental task with February’s theme, “Unzipped”, the insert card boldly declaring, “Being sexy isn’t limited to a certain size, shape, or age.” Not only YES, but FUCK YASSS! Thank you, Ipsy!
I’m a big fan of black lace on nude – I have several skirts and dresses, not to mention lingerie, that would be a swell match for this bag.
The products are a bit “meh” this month, but not horrible. I’m actually glad to have a bit of dry shampoo – I’d given all mine away around Xmas-time. It’s Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo. Also in this month’s bag: -417 Hand Moisturizer (a neutral scent, I cannot quite place it); TRÈSTIQUE Mini Eye Pencil in “Swiss Chocolate”; Beaute Basics Eyeshadow in “Lavish”; and a Luxie Beauty Blending and Shading Eye Brush 249 (I think this is going into my travel makeup brush set).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.